DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

Peonies

A Little Book of Flowers

Tara Austen Weaver author Emily Poole illustrator

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Blue Star Press

Published:24th Jan '22

Should be back in stock very soon

Peonies cover

This charming celebration of the peony reads like a “very smart love letter to cultivating beauty” and features 60+ vintage-inspired full-color botanical illustrations (Seattle Times).

“Delightful…Next time you are lucky enough to be someone’s houseguest, consider arriving with a bouquet of either one of the Little Book of Flowers.”-The New York Times


Peonies are queens of the spring garden, a romantic flower long popular in bridal bouquets (symbolizing prosperity and a happy marriage). In bloom for only a few weeks, they have passionate fans who love them despite—or perhaps because of—their short season. They can live to be 100 years, and are one of the easiest flowers to grow, with many different shapes and colors available, and a delicate scent. 
This charming little hardcover book includes:

  • 60+ full-color botanical illustrations
  • basic botany and history
  • everything you need to know to grow gorgeous blooms in the garden
  • tips for creating beautiful arrangements and preserving flowers
  • quotes, lore, and notable gardens and growers
Like a bouquet of peonies, this book is an affordable little luxury for gardeners and flower loversthe perfect hostess gift or Mother’s Day present. It’s part of the collectible mini gift book series Little Book of Natural Wonders.

"Next time you are lucky enough to be someone’s houseguest, consider arriving with a bouquet of either one of the Little Book of Flowers. . . Each book includes snappy discussions of the origins of the species, cultivation techniques and suggestions for display. The charm lies in Poole’s art. . . there’s a distinctly retro appeal to the watercolors here, which slow you down to linger over crinkled petals and bombshell flower heads. These books don’t pretend to be encyclopedic; rather, Weaver is discerning in her choices."
—New York Times

"In 'A Little Book of Flowers,' a new series of single bloom titles, author Tara Austen Weaver weaves together basic botany and culture. Each posey-size volume reads like a very smart love letter to cultivating beauty. . . Charming illustrations by Emily Poole and numerous quotes tug at our horticultural heartstrings, while a serviceable glossary and resource section at the back of each book indulge our yearning to grow more flowers and deepen our knowledge of the natural world."
—Seattle Times, Pacific NW Magazine

ISBN: 9781632173621

Dimensions: 178mm x 119mm x 17mm

Weight: 266g

144 pages